THE PERFECT LAST MINUTE CHRISTMAS GIFT

BIRMINGHAM'S CHRISTMAS MARKET GETTING ME IN THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

5 MAKEUP PRODUCTS TO GET ME THROUGH WINTER

SURVIVING AUTUMN/WINTER - 6 WAYS TO WEAR POLO NECKS

MAKING YOUR OWN LITTLE NEST - UNI DECOR

MAKE THE FASHION INDUSTRY BEAUTIFUL AGAIN

https://greenstilettos.com


Fashion is one of the only things I am truly passionate about. I take pride in what I wear and I like to be aware of current trends and apply these to my wardrobe in my own way. 

I love most things about the industry, I love not only looking and wearing at clothes but I could just walk around shops for hours without buying anything, I love the atmosphere that shops have and how they inspire people in a way to express themselves.

I lived in my own little fashion bubble for years, only really taking in what I wanted to see and ignoring all the perhaps not so glamorous sides of fashion. I'm the biggest believer in disposable fashion. I think we'd all love to spend ridiculous amount of money on designer clothes but unfortunately my student loan doesn't quite allow that.  As a result of that I swear by high street stores like Topshop and H&M like most of us I'm sure do to.

I think there are some things we should all stop to think about. Where are our clothes coming from? Who's making them? Are these conditions fair? Where have the materials been sourced from?

The main question being, Is it all really worth it?

THE BEST THING SINCE SLICED BREAD - SENSATIONAIL GEL NAILS

Gel nails are amazing, there is no doubt about it, but the price isn't. I'm not willing to pay an arm and a leg to get my nails done all the time so investing in the Sensationail Gel Nail Kit was 100% worth it. I know this isn't the most exciting blog post ever but I just want to show how easy it is to do. So when you next go and spend £30-£50 to get them done and then pay extra to get them removed,  you could just do it for so much cheaper yourself as well as in the comfort of your own home. 

A Sensationail starter kit is £49.99 which is AMAZING. The kit comes with the essentials that you need to get started. This includes The LED lamp, the nail cleanser, gel primer, the base and top gel coat, nail file, lint free wipes and one colour. It's a pretty big up front cost but having nail varnish that lasts for 2/3 weeks made it a no brainer for me. The nail varnishes themselves are obviously a bit more pricey than your standard Barry M ones but they do a different job and last a lot longer so again I think it's worth the investment. The colours are priced in most places at about £15 each. The best place to get them is Boots so then you can collect beauty points!! 

Now you know all the prices etc, I'm going to show you just how easy it is to do and how it's so much more worth while to do them yourself at home. 

- LOOKBOOK - BRINGING BACK THE 60'S -

JULY FAVOURITES 2016

I've had so many favourites this month so narrowing it down was very very difficult, however, I have managed to do it. It's a right mix of stuff really. It ranges from beauty products to apps. I hope you enjoy seeing what my favourites have been this month. What have been yours? 

WEEKEND BAKING - GLUTEN FREE VICTORIA SANDWICH

Gluten free products are becoming much more widely available, however, it hasn't always been that way. Having a mum that can't eat gluten, it's always been a bit rubbish for her not being able to eat what the rest of my family are eating, especially not being able to eat a birthday cake on her own birthday. So, a few years ago I looked into gluten free recipes and did a lot of baking and through trial and error, I managed to get a recipe together that made an amazing cake. I think my family would agree with me when I say I now think a gluten free Victoria sandwich is nicer than your usual one. 

- Ingredients - 

Main Cake 

8oz Caster Sugar 

8oz Butter 

4 Eggs 

8oz Gluten Free Plain Flour 

2 1/2 tsp Baking Powder 

1tsp Vanilla Essence 

Filling

1 tbsp of Butter 

Icing Sugar (also for dusting) 

Raspberry Jam (can use strawberry my family just prefer raspberry) 

(I don't have exact measurements for the filling as I just start with a spoonful of butter and add icing sugar until I have a nice white bowl of icing - it's up to you and how you like your icing)

 Tip - You may find that when you whisk the icing sugar it makes a MASSIVE mess, if you stir in a small drop of water it will reduce this

WHO DOESN'T LOVE A MATTE LIP?

MAJORCA 2016 - MINI STYLE DIARY - GO TO OUTFITS -

ESCAPING TO THE LAND OF CREAM TEAS AND PASTIES

STAY PROTECTED

We are now heading in to the time of year where we start getting blessed with some sunshine whether that be here in the UK or jetting off somewhere hot. I love getting a tan as much as the next person but I also know it's so important to do it safely and stay protected.

I know there are the obvious things to do to protect ourselves from the sun like wearing sunglasses and a hat and slapping on some suncream but there is so much more than that that we can do. 

I have always used Garnier Ambre Solaire suncream, I mainly use it because I always have and so now it's just a brand that I trust. I tend to go for SPF 30 after having read that it's the best one to use. I think suncream is possibly one of the most important things ever when it comes to protecting yourself from the sun. When buying a suncream you should look into UVA/UVB/UVC and check that your suncream is doing what you want it to do. 

Of course you put the suncream wherever you're going to be exposed to the sun (always remembering the tops of your ears and feet!) but I think that one of the biggest thing that is forgotten about is your lips. Some lipsticks these days have SPF in but some don't and you don't really want to put suncream on your lips as although it smells amazing it doesn't taste great. This is why I have purchased the Piz Buin Moisturising Sun Lipstick. This gives your lips the essential protection that they need but it also great to use after having been in the sun to moisturise them. It also smells and tastes amazing, almost like vanilla. 

Another Piz Buin product that I have bought is the tan accelerating oil. To begin with I was very scared by this and I'm still not sure how I feel about it but I've seen a lot of people using this on youtube and they say it's safe and that it works. Of course I am no professional and cannot guarantee that it's 100% safe as essentially you're helping yourself tan by spraying oil all over your body. However, it is SPF 30 and protects against UVA and UVB. Although I haven't used this product in the sun yet as I haven't yet been away I did spray it on my skin to see how absorbent it is and I was pleasantly surprised. It was fast absorbing and smelt like summer in a bottle.

The next thing that I have to protect against the sun this summer is the L'Orēal Elvive Extraordinary Oil shampoo and conditioner. I think that your hair is often forgotten about when exposed in the sun but it's just as important and most importantly it doesn't have to be expensive! This shampoo and conditioner nourishes your hair when its been exposed to the sun, sand, salt and also chlorine. One of the worst things I think is when you've been in the sea or the pool and your hair feels of crispy and dry. This god send of a product helps to stop this. It keeps your hair healthy and shinny in the sun. Not only do I think this is a great product but I got it at an amazing price at £2.99 for both. In Superdrug at the moment it is buy one get one free so get it whilst you still can! One thing that also made me want this product is that it's not too heavy so it's not going to make your suitcase too heavy!

Of course whenever you've been in the sun and have got a bit of a tan its important to make sure your skin stays nourished and soft. This is important to reduce ageing from the sun and you don't want to have dry skin when you've got your legs out either!

The Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Body Wash in shea butter and warm vanilla is amazing. It says it makes your skin softer after one shower and it really does. I love it so much, not only does it smell amazing but it's really nourishing but still gentle on the skin.

After sun is something that I think is essential. Not only because it helps keep your skin soft and healthy but a lot of after suns also have small amounts of fake tan in. This is something that I will always use when on holiday and also when I get back to keep my skin hydrated but also to make my tan last as long as possible. Even throughout summer if I'm not going abroad I use this, it just helps give you a slight healthy glow without making you patchy like a full fake tan would. The one that I've been using for a couple of years now is the Garnier Summer Body Moisturising Lotion. I love this one because you get loads of product for the price and it also has a hint of apricot to it.

Garnier Ambre Solaire Light and Silky SPF 30 / £6.49
Piz Buin In The Sun Lipstick SPF 30 / £2.49
Piz Buin Tan & Protect Acc Oil SPF 30 / £8.99
L'Orēal Elvive Extraordinary Oil shampoo and conditioner / £2.99 each but BOGOF in Superdrug!
Dove Purely Pampering Nourishing Body Wash / £2.59
Garnier Summer Body Moisturising Lotion / £7.79

That's it! They are the products that I will be using this summer to make sure I stay safe in the sun!

Lots of Love, Becky xox

DAY TRIP TO THE DEAN

EVERYDAY MAKE UP ROUTINE

My everyday make up is very straight forward and ideal for if you're in a hurry. This is my go to look for when I'm going to work or running late for uni after a night out. Although it's really quick and easy I think it's really effective.